WHEN THE only air carrier to service the Johannesburg – Swaziland route switched to a jet plane for two of its four daily flights into and out of the kingdom, it was a return to the good old days when air travel took 45 minutes between locations. Since 2000, a prop plane has been used, making for a slower trip. But landing and departing from Matsapha International Airport, outside of Manzini and a half-hour drive from Mbabane, the operation was always convenient for business people. The airport’s runways, renovated in 2003, skirt the edge of the Matsapha Industrial Estate, where Swaziland’s manufacturing is concentrated. “We hope to continue operations at Matsapha, because it is desired by our business customers, even when the new airport opens at Sikhupe (one hour east),” said Teddy Mavuso, general manager for the airline. The new jet not only offers faster service and can accommodate more passengers in more commodious surroundings, but Swaziland’s airfreight options have expanded accordingly. The plane has one ton of cargo capacity, no more than 60% of which is occupied by passengers’ luggage. “That means I can offer space for 800 kilograms of air freight daily on the jet,” said Mavuso.
